East Coast Fires

MY_STI · Post by **MY_STI** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 5:57 pm

Whats happening to my island?

Not usually back in time to watch the news up here, but what little I've heard on the radio doesn't sound good.

Do they need volunteers?

Fill me in.

subius · Post by **subius** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 9:51 pm

The worst fires have been up at scamander, lost about 16 or so houses. Fire is still out of control heading towards St Marys i last heard.

Also plenty of other fires around the state atm too. Big one at Kelevie which I went out to this week which is now escaping into state forest up the east coast.

More info here:
http://www.fire.tas.gov.au

Volunteers are always needed but to become a volunteer with the fire service you need to do a basic training course and there aren't any course being run for a while cos all the training staff are busy with the fires!

But if you're still keen then head down to you local fire station and check it out.

BRUMBERTY · Post by **BRUMBERTY** » Thu Dec 14, 2006 8:54 am

The fire at south of Orford is a big risk at the moment, if it comes north it will not stop.

The St Marys fire is HUGE, this cool change will help.

I have just recently volunteered, not done any local courses yet, but can drive a unit and operate pumps, make coffee, take messages, deliver food etc.

Spooky day today with all the smoke just hanging....

MY_STI · Post by **MY_STI** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 7:42 am

%*$#, sounds bad. Any new developments? Did the cool change help?
Hope the TFS is winning the battle.

Good on ya for helping out lads, I will follow suite and totter down to the local fire station when I get back to tassie.

BRUMBERTY · Post by **BRUMBERTY** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 8:44 am

Calmed down a lot now, Will, 4 mile creek got hammered yesterday and the day before, Cooler weather is helping.

Fingers crossed for a little rain.

MY_STI · Post by **MY_STI** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 9:01 am

Thanks Matt, Good to hear that things are begining to looking up.

I'll cross all my fingers and toes for rain. We really need some, for many reasons.

BRUMBERTY · Post by **BRUMBERTY** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 12:33 pm

Things are looking better and worse, the Wielanta Forest fire south of Orford is almost out, fully contained.

The St Marys fire is coming south still and Bicheno residents are on alert.
If it comes through the Elephant Pass it will keep going.
Fingers crossed there.

I heard a bloke ring Peter Cundall (Gardening Guru and general good guy)
on saturday morning to say he lived at Four Mile Creek and had the fire go through yesterday.....
his house survived due to excellent advice when planting 25 years ago (From Peter Cundall again)
but all his potatoes were cooked in the ground from the heat of the fire going over!!!

His neighbours shed burnt with an alloy boat in it.....the molten alloy ran out under the shed slab afterwards !!!!!

My Brother in Law got the call the same day and had to move all his cattle onto the beach.
They were the ones on the news footage in the smoke.
(having a nice paddle too I might add)
He has land at Chain of lagoons...all good except for scorched earth and very droopy fence wires.

Something to be said for steel fence posts.

All the Forestry firefighters are onto it now...BIG BULDOZERS and a little more airpower as well.

Hmm...... come to the green island with all the lush rainforest.....while it is still here.